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Journal
Culture by design: building an exceptional team
The strength of The LA Way depends on the people who deliver it, and we’re proud to be part of such a gifted and dedicated collective. Our appointment to several prestigious new projects this year has also allowed us to grow the team at LA London, bringing new expertise and insights to the studio.
45 Years of True Prime®
In our 45th year, LA London is delighted to reaffirm our commitment to True Prime, the ultimate standard for architectural design and delivery.
The LA Way Part 4: Deliver with Control
The final stage of The LA Way is ‘Deliver with Control’, when the rigorous definition, bold design and precise development of the three previous stages come to fruition during the construction phase.
Delivering with control means empowering the wider project team while maintaining clear oversight of programme, quality and execution. It requires proactive project management, attention to detail and the swift resolution of challenges without compromising the integrity of the client’s vision and our design.
The LA Way Part 3: Develop with Precision
Step three of The LA Way is where our client’s vision is transformed into coordinated technical reality. This stage is where communication, coordination and technical excellence become critical.
The LA Way Part 2: Design with Boldness
As we celebrate our 45th anniversary and reaffirm our commitment to True Prime® we are sharing the philosophy and processes that underpin our work through a series of journal articles and short films.
Together, these explore The LA Way: our carefully considered and continually refined four-part approach to delivering exceptional architecture.
The LA Way, Part 1: Define with Rigour
As we celebrate our 45th anniversary and reaffirm our commitment to True Prime® we are sharing the philosophy and processes that underpin our work through a series of journal articles and short films.
Together, these explore The LA Way: our carefully considered and continually refined four-part approach to delivering exceptional architecture.
An Evening 45 Years In The Making
We celebrated our 45th anniversary with a party on our roof terrace.
8 questions to ask before designing your home
Before we commence any residential project, we ask our clients to complete a detailed briefing questionnaire. Refined over many years of experience working on True Prime® homes, this survey contains questions that inform not only our designs, but also the approach we take to the project and the partners we choose to work with.
To assist anyone planning a residential project and preparing to approach an architect, we have distilled this process into eight crucial questions that are worth answering before the briefing process begins:
A Day in the Life of… Emily Zaman
In the latest of our regular series exploring a typical day in the life of an LA London team member, we meet intern Emily Zaman.
Spotlight On Wilton Crescent: Preserving Heritage While Creating Modern Homes
Having completed three refurbishment projects on Wilton Crescent, LA London has developed extensive experience navigating the street’s unique architectural, planning and conservation challenges. We explore the remarkable history and evolution of one of Belgravia’s most prestigious addresses.
Who Does What on a Prime Residential Project?
To help provide clarity for clients embarking on renovation or construction work, we’ve put together a glossary of the roles and responsibilities of 12 key team members involved on a typical prime residential project.
The Building That Inspired Me: Ema Benzar
In this month’s edition of The Building That Inspired Me, LA London architect Ema Benzar chooses the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, designed by Louis Kahn. Created as a research facility for scientist Jonas Salk, it is widely regarded as one of the most important architectural works of the twentieth century.
True Prime®: Defining Excellence in Architectural Design and Delivery
Recently, LA London’s partners have revisited our mission and vision, and in doing so have clarified the values we hold true, the standards we expect of ourselves, and the commitments we make to our clients. We refer to these qualities as True Prime, a standard that formalises and captures in a single term the principles that have always been deeply embedded in the practice and its values. Here, we explain what True Prime means and why it matters.
Extraordinary Requests. Meticulously Delivered.
One of the privileges of working in the true prime residential sector is that no two briefs are ever the same. Our clients often come to us with highly personal aspirations, unique interests and requirements that demand exceptional levels of creativity, technical expertise and coordination. Here are some of the more notable requests we have helped deliver over the years.
LA London’s Guide to Architectural Acronyms
As we continue our explainer series to help clarify some of the industry’s technical language, titles and abbreviations, we’ve put together a guide to some common acronyms used in the world of architecture and design. The guide explains what they stand for, what they mean and how they are used.
PRIME Progress: LA London recognised for sustainability initiatives
Since 2023, LA London has been a proud member of PRIME, a platform for businesses that share a commitment to the environment and the communities they serve.
The Future Homes Standard: What It Means for Prime Residential New Build
The Future Homes Standard is often framed as a regulatory shift. In practice, it is a shift in how homes are conceived, coordinated and delivered.
For prime residential projects, the implications go beyond compliance—requiring fully integrated design from the outset, where fabric performance, building services and architectural intent are resolved together, not retrospectively.
This is already the direction of travel for high-quality projects. The FHS simply formalises it.
The BSA: Ensuring Compliance with Gateways 2 and 3
LA London architect Ema Benzar was pleased to attend a recent seminar hosted by fire safety and acoustics company Siderise and the ATLG (the Architectural Technical Leads Group). The seminar, ‘Supporting designers through Gateways 2 and 3, ensuring compliance’, gave industry professionals the chance to share experiences and best practices for mitigating the negative impact of delays and additional cost on construction projects.
The View from Cannes: 6 Observations from MIPIM 2026
Earlier this month, LA London Managing Partner Andrew Paulson travelled to Cannes during MIPIM week, the global urban property summit. A full programme of meetings and informal gatherings made for a busy and productive few days in the south of France.
Architects of Change: LA London’s women discuss the industry today
For International Women’s Day this year, we’re reflecting on the challenges and opportunities for women in architecture today. LA London partner Kathryn Archer sat down with Megan, architects Ema Benzar and Alicia Pell, and architectural assistants Pearl James, Mai Smith and Angelika Kuczynska-Hajdasz to discuss their experiences – and the changes Kathryn has seen for women in architecture over the last 30 years.